Requesting the Joint Committee on Government and Finance study how
to maintain the State Park System and find a dedicated source
of revenue to address the maintenance, repair and renovation
of West Virginia’s beautiful but aging state parks to ensure
they continue to provide recreation and enjoyment to the
citizens of the state and its visitors.

Whereas, The mission of the West Virginia State Park System
since its inception has been to promote conservation by preserving
and protecting natural areas of unique or exceptional scenic,
scientific, cultural, archeological or historical significance and
to provide outdoor recreational opportunities for the citizens of
this state and its visitors; and

Whereas, The West Virginia State Park system attracts
approximately 6.5 million visitors per year and contributes over
$126 million dollars of economic activity to the state; and

Whereas, Many of the facilities, such as the cabins,
administrative buildings and picnic shelters were constructed by
the Civilian Conservation Corps in the 1930s, and many of the
lodges were constructed during the 1950s and 1960s and are over
fifty years old; and

Whereas, If these aging facilities are not able to be repaired
and maintained, visitor safety will be jeopardized and the state
parks of West Virginia may not be available to future generations;
and

Whereas, There is currently an estimated backlog of
maintenance needs to these facilities in excess of $25 million,
which continues to increase on a yearly basis when projects are
neglected due to lack of funding; and

Whereas, Only $5 million from the state, which comes from
lottery revenue, is currently devoted to maintenance, repairs and
renovations to these facilities; and

Whereas, The last Legislative Performance Audit of the State
Park System suggested that a minimum of $3 million be allotted for
this purpose; and

Whereas, HB2060 was introduced, suggesting that an additional
soft drink tax be implemented and dedicated to a state park
maintenance and improvement fund; and

Whereas, Other states have various dedicated revenue sources,
such as Arkansas’ one-eighth percent sales tax and North Carolina’s
real estate transfer tax, devoted to state parks; and

Whereas, A study should be conducted of potential revenue
sources that could be devoted to relieving the backlog of current
maintenance needs of the state park system; therefore, be it

Resolved by the Legislature of West Virginia:

That the Legislature hereby requests the Joint Committee on
Government and Finance study how to maintain the State Park System
and find a dedicated source of revenue to address the maintenance,
repair and renovation of West Virginia’s beautiful but aging state
parks to ensure they continue to provide recreation and enjoyment
to the citizens of the state and its visitors; and, be it

Further Resolved, That the Joint Committee on Government and
Finance report to the regular session of the Legislature, 2014, on
its findings, conclusions and recommendations, together with drafts
of any legislation necessary to effectuate its recommendations;
and, be it

Further Resolved, That the expenses necessary to conduct this
study, to prepare a report and to draft necessary legislation be
paid from legislative appropriations to the Joint Committee on
Government and Finance.